New VIP passes offered

Passholders get perks for parking, drinks, bathrooms at Rockin’ on the River concerts

Along with music, food and fun on Friday nights, some Rockin’ on the River fans can take advantage of a special pass offering more perks for the 2018 season.

The weekly concert series has something new for next summer: a VIP season pass for $300.

The VIP ticket will be good for the passholder and a guest to get perks at the shows, said Bob Earley, who organizes the shows with his wife, Sandy.

Rockin’ on the River has had three successful seasons at Black River Landing, the Lorain Port Authority’s riverfront festival site, Earley said.

The VIP pass is the next step to enhance the experience, he said.

“Being that we got the best concert venue on Lake Erie, that’s the whole idea of the VIP: Step it up a notch,” Earley said.

Rockin’ on the River has been successful because it offers great shows for reasonable prices, he said.

“That’s been a key to our success all these years because we have always been thinking of our customer,” Earley said.

“Where can you go for a show for five bucks with everything that we give them? Especially with the production and the sound and the lights.

“But then again, we had people who want something else,” he said.

The VIP perks include private, inside-the-gate parking.

The Black River Landing Transportation Center, which is the red brick train station, will have a concierge at the door and a private bartender inside.

There will be a private bartender with upscale liquors for mixed drinks.

Restrooms of the Transportation Center will be

sectioned off for VIP use only.

The air-conditioning will be on so VIPs can cool off during hot nights and keep dry if it rains.

Of course, guests come for the music, so it will be streamed into the Transportation Center.

Outside, there will be a private VIP tent and each pass holder will get a VIP chair kept on site, Earley said.

VIPs also will get meetand-greet sessions with the bands and all-access wristbands to Black River Landing.

He said fans should not balk at the price because the VIP passes are good for two people. On a per show and per person basis, the additional convenience costs less than $4 a person for the VIP tickets, Earley said.

“It sounds like it’s expensive, but its three bucks,” he said. “So really it’s a helluva’ deal.”

For weekly concert-goers, Rockin’ on the River will sell 300 season passes for $80 each.

“Everybody loves the season tickets,” Earley said, noting the VIP and regular passes were announced in time for the Christmas and holiday shopping season. “And the whole idea, of course it gives us a little revenue stream to start the season, I’m not going to lie.”

The 2018 schedule is in the works. It will be similar to that of 2017, with a few special changes, Earley said.

The first night will be May 25 and the season ending is not confirmed yet.

Admission will be $5 for most shows. There will be at least three specially priced concerts that cost more than that.

“Hairball – A Bombastic Celebration of Arena Rock” and “Wish You Were Here – The Sight and Sound of Pink Floyd” will return next year, Earley said.

The VIP tickets will be available at www.rockinontheriver.com; the Lorain Port Authority, 319 Black River Lane; and at The Morning Journal, 2500 W. Erie Ave.